Mission

The mission of the UNC School of Law Pro Bono Program is to increase the provision of high quality, low-cost legal services to North Carolina residents in need by empowering lawyers to accept more pro bono cases and creating a life-long commitment to pro bono work among UNC Law students.

We believe that a vigorous and active legal system that addresses issues affecting citizens is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Pro bono legal service ensures that individuals who have neither economic nor political means have the opportunity to actually pursue legal claims and rights. Through pro bono work, the legal system can inform the political spectrum of critical societal issues that would not otherwise be addressed.

Additionally, access to legal assistance is a critical determinant of the efficacy of the laws created by the political process. Providing legal assistance to those unable to afford it ensures that democratically chosen legal protections protect all citizens. Our goal is to encourage all law students to incorporate service to the community into their practice.

ABA Model Rule of Professional Responsibility 6.1

Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least 50 hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.

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